Connector



Feb. 17, 1970 I GJWAYLTER 3,495,517

CONNECTOR Filed Sept. 12, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fd). 17, 1970 G. WALTER 3,496,517

' CONNECTOR Filed Sept. 12, 1967 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Feb. 17, 1970 G. WALTER 3,496,517

CONNECTOR Filed Sept. 12, 1967 s Sheets-Sheet s Maw/2'02 United States Patent 3,496,517 CONNECTOR George Walter, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Malco Manufacturing Company, Inc., Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Illinois Filed Sept. 12, 1967, Ser. No. 667,245 Int. Cl. H011 25/00, 29/00 US. Cl. 339-18 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A connector clip for making an electrical connection between a terminal post and an apertured plate or the like. The clip has resilient parallel legs and grips the post between them while anchoring itself in the aperture. The plate provides a uniform power source at all terminals to which it is connected and is insulated from a ground plate, which it overlies, and in which the terminals are mounted.

This invention is in the field of electrical hardware. It deals particularly with electrical hardware especially suited for high density computer circuitry and the like.

It is now common for computer circuitry to include terminal plates seating thousands of electrical terminals. A preferred arrangement comprises multiple, parallel rows of wire wrap terminals seated in self-locking relationship (as described in the Just et al. Patent No. 2,995,617, assigned to the same assignee as the present invention) in insulators extending through corresponding apertures in the terminal plate. The terminals conventionally have wire wrap posts on one end and contacts on their opposite ends suitably disposed in the insulators for receipt of mating terminals or printed circuit boards or the like. The wire wrap posts are connected to computer circuitry leads or a power source by wire wrap techniques.

Power for the circuitry in which these self-locking terminals are components has conventionally been distributed by conductor wires connecting certain terminals to a power source. This arrangement has serious drawbacks in computer circuitry, however. Current distribution is necessarily affected by conductor length and size, for example. Variations in voltage drop from one terminal to another occur through the conductors. In a computer, where very slight voltage variations actually affect the basic functions of the computer, including relay and semiconductor triggering and the like, uniform power distribution is of primary importance.

To solve this problem of uniform power distribution, the applicant has developed a power plate arrangement wherein. power is supplied through a separate plate overlying and generally insulated from the conventional ground plate upon which the terminals are mounted. As such, it is an object of the invention to provide a power plate arrangement for a multiple terminal complex wherein uniform voltage is provided to any selected terminal throughout a multitude of terminals mounted in a ground plate.

Another object is to provide a power plate arrangement wherein a voltage plate and ground plate sandwich acts as a capacitor in affording a current storage unit so that even if current fluctuations occur, the capacitor continues to provide a constant current flow to terminals connected to the voltage plate.

Still another object is to provide a power plate arrangement wherein a magnetic field is developed around the connections made so as to shield them from interference by adjacent circuitry.

Yet another object is to provide a plate arrangement wherein the voltage distribution means acts as an excellent heat dissipation medium.

3,496,517 Patented Feb. 17, 1970 Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved connector for connecting terminal wire wrap posts to electrical components such as a voltage plate or printed circuit board or the like.

It is another object to provide a conector which comprises a rugged and reliable, yet simple and inexpensive, connector clip.

It is still another object to provide a connector clip which is quickly and simply seated in temporary or permanent connection of a terminal post and a voltage plate, for example, to provide a superior electrical connection between these components.

It is yet another object to provide a connector clip which effectively clamps the terminal post and bites into a voltage plate so as to assure a superior connection regardless of the presence of foreign material, films or oxides or the like, on the surface of these components.

It is a further object to provide a connector clip which, when properly seated, readily adapts itself to relative movement of a terminal post and voltage plate, for example, such as when the post is inadvertently bent, without breaking the clip connection between the post and the voltage plate.

It is yet a further object to provide a connector clip which is removable and replaceable without damage to either the clip or the voltage plate.

The foregoing and other objects are realized in accord with the present invention by providing a power plate arrangement including a ground plate in which are mounted a plurality of electrical terminals in insulated relationship. A voltage plate overlies the ground plate in sandwiched relationship. A layer of insulating material such as an epoxy resin or the like is disposed between the plates, whereby a capacitor is formed, affording a current storage capacity. The terminals are mounted in insulated relationship in the ground plate and extend through suitably formed apertures in the voltage plate. The voltage plate (or plates) is connected to each selected terminal by providing a connector clip which comprises two generally parallel legs fabricated of resilient, conductive mate rial, resiliently joined to each other at at least one corresponding end. The legs resiliently clamp a terminal post. The legs are retained in this clamped relationship on the post by locking feet which extend generally perpendicular from corresponding legs into prescribed apertures in a power plate, for example.

In one form of the voltage clip, it is adapted to connect a single terminal post to a component such as a voltage plate. In this form, the clip legs are resiliently joined at only one corresponding end. The locking feet are formed 7 integrally with and extend perpendicular from the oppo-,

site free ends of the legs. In another form of the clip, it condnects two terminal posts to the voltage plate. In this form, the legs are resiliently joined at both corresponding ends. The locking feet are formed integrally with the legs generally intermediate the resiliently joined opposite ends of the legs.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, is illustrated InOre or less diagrammatically in the attached drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan -view of a terminal plate and power plate assembly, with parts broken away for purposes of illustration;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevational view of the assembly illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the terminal plate and power plate assembly illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, showing a connector clip embodying features of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIGURE 3; I

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of a portion of the voltage plate, illustrating a segment of its dielectric film;

FIGURE 6 is a plan view of a first form of clip-type connector embodying features of the invention;

FIGURE 7 is a side elevational view of the connector illustrated in FIGURE 6;

FIGURE 8 is an end elevational view of the connector illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7;

FIGURE 8a is an end elevational view of a modified form of the connector illustrated in FIGURES 6 and 7;

FIGURE 9 is a plan view, similar to FIGURE 3, illustrating a second form of the clip type connector; and

FIGURE 10 is a side view of the clip type connector illustrated in FIGURE 9.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGURES 1 and 2, an electrical connector assembly is seen generally at 10. The assembly 10 comprises a terminal plate 11, usually fabricated of an aluminum alloy, mounting a plurality of terminals 12 in suitably formed apertures 13 (see FIGURE 2) in the plate 11. Overlying the terminal plate, and insulated therefrom, is a power plate 15, which is also fabricated of an aluminum alloy or other conductive material. The power plate 15 is connected to a source (not shown) of current, as at 17, and provides a uniform current dwell at any and every point throughout its extent.

Because the current dwell is uniform throughout the power plate 15, any selected terminal or terminals 12 can be tapped into the power plate immediately adjacent the terminal and receive precisely the same current flow. Thus, the voltage at any and all such power terminals 12 is exactly the same. It then becomes possible, according to the present invention, to develop computer circuitry which completely obviates malfunction due to voltage irregularities in power transmission.

It has been pointed out that the terminal plate 11 and the power plate 15 are insulated from each other. More precisely, a film of dielectric material such as an epoxy resin or the like extends between the terminal plate 11 and the power plate 15. The epoxy resin film is actually applied to the power plate 15 by conventional silk screen techniques, spraying or vapor deposition, for example.

The aforedescribed arrangement of metal plates 11 and 15 and a dielectric film 20 between them forms a capacher; the plates 11 and 15 being at different potentials since power is supplied to the power plate 15, while the terminal plate 11 is normally grounded. Acting as a capacitor, the assembly 10 provides a current storage unit so that even if current fluctuations occur at the power source, the capacitor continues to provide a constant current flow at any terminals 12 which are tapped into the voltage plate 15.

The power plate 15 also has a magnetic field formed aroundit when supplied with power. This field serves to shield the terminals 12 from outside electrical interference. Furthermore, the plate 15 serves as a conductor to channel heat away from the terminals.

Turning to FIGURES 3-5, the terminal connector assembly 10, or part of it, is seen substantially enlarged. Note that the terminal plate 11 is substantially thicker than the power plate 15. In practice, the terminal plate is preferably constructed of aluminum alloy plate which is approximately 0.80 inch in thickness, while the voltage plate 15 is constructed of aluminum alloy plate of approximately 0.30 inch in thickness. The thickness of the terminal plate 11 is sufficient to provide the assembly 10 with structural strength and rigidity required, while the thickness of the voltage plate 15 is sufficient to assure excellent conductivity and uniform current dwell throughout, while being thin enough to occupy minimal space.

The aluminum terminal plate 11 is anodized after the terminal apertures 13 are formed in it to protect the plate surface. Anodizing is preferably avoided in selected areas by masking, however, to afford good contact areas for grounding connection...Since the feature doesnotpertain to this invention, however, it is not illustrated or described in detail.

Each terminal 12 comprises a terminal pin 25 seated in self-locking relationship, as decsribed in the aforementioned Just et a1, patent, in a bushing 26 extending through a prescribed aperture 13 (see FIGURE 4). The bushing 26 is fabricated of a dielectric material, preferably nylon, for example, and includes a circular cylindrical locking section 28 and a square head section 29. In the terminal plate 11 and terminal 12 arrangement illustrated, the terminals 12 are adapted to receive male blade connectors in the head sections 29 where they mate with the terminal pins 25. Alternatively, however, printed circuit boards might be received by the head sections 29 to connect to the terminal pins. In the latter instance, of course, the construction and configuration of the head section 29 would diifer considerably.

Each terminal pin 25 illustrated comprises a wire wrap post 35 which extends through the locking section 28 of the bushing 26, and a suitably formed female tine arrangement (not shown) 'within the head section 29. The pins are fabricated of brass or phosphor bronze or the like. The terminal posts 35 are conventionally either 0.25 or 0.45 inch square in cross-section and are adapted to receive and retain wire leads applied by conventional wire wrapping techniques.

The power plate 15 is also fabricated of an aluminum alloy, as has been pointed out. Circular cylindrical apertures 40 of slightly larger diameter than the apertures 13 in the terminal plate 11 are formed in the power 'plate 15, in a pattern corresponding precisely to' the pattern of apertures 13 in the terminal plate. The power plate 15 is then iridite finished for conductive purposes, similar to the terminal plate 11.

After the power plate 15 has been finished in the aforedescribed manner, a thin strip 42 of plastic tape is preferably applied to one surface 43 over one or more rows of apertures 40 in the plate 15 which are not programmed to overlie terminals 12. As illustrated in FIGURES 4 and 5 where one row of these apertures 40a are illustrated, the tape thus closes these apertures to communication with one surface 43 of the power plate 15.

With a row, for example, of apertures 40a masked in the aforedescribed manner, the thin film 20 of a dielectric material, an epoxy resin in this case, is applied to the surface 43 of the power plate 15. According to present practice, the film 20 is applied by silk screening techniques. However, the film 20 might be applied in other ways, such as by spraying or vapor deposition, for example. At any rate, a dielectric film 20 approximately 0.05 inch thick is formed over the entire surface 43 of the power plate 15.

As the film 20 is applied to the surface 43 of the power plate 15 by silk screening, for example, it also forms withinthe apertures 40 which are not covered by the masking plastic tape 42. A thin section of film. 46 thus also builds up within these unmasked apertures '40.

With the terminal plate 11 mounting thousandsof terminals in a prescribed arrangement, and the power plate 15 prepared in the aforementioned manner, the plates 11 and 15 are sandwiched together, as illustrated in FIGURE 4. The open apertures 40 of the power plate 15, lined With the film 46 of plastic, are seated over the extending ends of corresponding locking sections 28 of the terminal bushings 26 until the film 20 lies .flush thickness of the plate 15 is such that a constant current dwell is established throughout the plate. According to the present invention, a precisely identical voltage is thus available at each of an entire row of terminals 12, for example, through identical connector clips 60 (only several of which are shown) embodying features of the invention.

Terminal clips 60 ordinarily conect one or more terminals 12 in one row of a block of terminals to a power plate 15, for example. The block of terminals 12 might be connected to a multiple lead connector block forming terminations for a single or multiple circuitry module. Power is supplied to the module from the power plate 15, through the clips 60 and the terminals 12.

One of the terminal clips 60 is illustrated in mounted relationship in FIGURES 3 and 4. The terminal clip 60 embodies features of the first form of the present 1nvention. It tightly clamps onto the wire wrap post 35 of a terminal pin 25 and, at the same time, resiliently wedges into the apertures 40a in the power plate 15 which are not lined with the film section 46 of insultating plastic. The clip 60 is sufficiently flexible so that even if the post 35 is flexed or bent during handling of the assembly 10, the clip remains seated and maintains an excellent electrical connection between the power plate 15 and the terminal pin 25.

Referring now to FIGURES 6-8, m addrtlon to FIGURES 3 and 4, the conector clip 60 is formed from a single strip of berylium copper or phospor bronze by die punching or the like and includes identlcal, parallel legs 65 joined at a common end -by a base section 66. The legs 65 and base section 66 are generally flat, while perpendicularly extending feet 67 depend from the free ends 68 of each of the legs 65.

Formed in opposing relationship on the inner edge 69 of each of the legs 65 intermediate the base section 66 of the clip 60 and the free ends 68 of the legs 65 are shallow, semi-rectangular cut-outs 72. The cut-outs 72 are adapted to receive and clamp onto the wire wrap post 35 and, accordingly, each cut-out 72 is preferably 0.025 or 0.045 inch in width.

A clip 60 is slipped over the wire wrap post 35 of each selected terminal 12 and forced downwardly into the position shown in FIGURES 3 and 4. The feet 67 are wedged into the apertures 40a in the power plate 15. The length of the feet 67 is slightly less than the th1ckness of the plate 15 so the insulation is not punctured.

The Width of each clip 60 between its outer edges 75, in a relaxed condition, is greater than the diameter of the apertures 40a into which the feet 67 are received, and the distance between the bottoms of the cut-outs 72 normally provides a slip fit over the wire wrap post 35. Accordingly, when the feet 67 of the clip 60 are pinched together and placed into a corresponding aperture 40a in the power plate 15, the legs 65 of the clip clamp the terminal post 35 in the cut-outs 72. At the same time, the spring force in the resiliently compressed legs 65 causes the outer edges 75 of the feet 67 to bite into the side of the aperture 40a. The clip 60 is thus resiliently clamped into place and excellent electrical connections are established between the clip and the post 35, as well as between the clip and the power plate 15. Because of the resiliency of the clip 60, it will not indvertently work loose from its seated relationship on the post 35 and in the power plate 15, even if the post 35 is bent extensively, for example. Referring to FIGURE 80, however, it is possible to provide additional retaining means for the clip 15 by serrating the outer edges of the feet 67, as at 75a.

The clip 60, which is adapted to be connected to a single terminal post 35, is illustrated as a relatively straight member with its base section 66 directly opposite the cut-outs 72 from the feet 67 of the clip. However, it should be understood that if terminal density is greater, and clip size presents interference problems, the base section 66 and those portions of the legs 65 between the cut-outs 72 and the base section 66 might be canted at an angle or split into two separate or splayed base sections. It is only necessary that the extremities of the base section be sufliciently spaced from the cut-outs 72 to assure that a resiliently tight clamping elfect will be made on the post 35 without breaking the clip at the base section.

Attention is now directed to FIGURES 9 and 10 where a connector clip embodying features of a second form of the present invention is illustrated. The clip 80 is substantially identical in concept to the clip 60, but is adapted to connect two terminal posts 135 to a power plant 115 through a single power plate aperture 140a. The clip 80 is also formed of beryllium copper or phosphor bronze by die punching, for example.

The clip 80 comprises elongated, parallel legs joined at their opposite ends by identical base sections 86. The legs 85 are somewhat irregularly shaped. They are, however, substantially identical to each other in configuration, although oppositely arranged in the clip as will be recognized.

Each leg 85 includes a relatively short end section 88, a central section 89 and a relatively longer opposite end section 90. On the opposed end sections 88 and 90, the inner edge is squared, as at 91, to engage and clamp the sides of a corresponding terminal post 135.

The oppositely disposed central sections 89 of the legs 85 each have a foot 95 bent downwardly therefrom, as best illustrated in FIGURE 10. The outer edges 96 of the feet are, in the relaxed condition of the clip 80, spaced apart a distance greater than the diameter of the corresponding aperture 140a through the power plate 115. In addition, the opposed edges 91 in the leg sections 88, are normally spaced apart sufficiently to make a slip fit to the corresponding terminal posts 135.

The clip 80 is slipped over a pair of terminal posts 135 in much the same manner that the clip 60 is mounted on a single post 35. The clip 80 is forced downwardly on the post 135 until the feet reach and are pinched together and placed into the corresponding apertures 140a. As the feet expand into the aperture, they bite into its surface as the opposed edges 91 clamp tightly onto the terminal 135. Similar to the clip 60, an excellent electrical connection, with the clip 80 actually clamping onto the posts and biting into the aperture a, is effected. Even if the posts 135 are bent extensively, the resiliency of the clip 80 permits it to remain securely seated and maintain an excellent connection.

The connector clips 60 and 80 have been described in detail solely in the context of a power plate 15 connection to a square cross-section wire wrap post. It is within the purview of the invention, however, to make connections with these clips to printed circuit boards and other electrical components from round pins having other cross-sectional configurations.

While several embodiments described herein are at present considered to be preferred, it is understood that various modifications and improvements may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications and improvements as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention,

What is desired to be claimed and secured by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In an electrical connector assembly including a terminal plate having apertures formed therein and terminals seated in apertures, wherein said terminals include insulator means and terminal posts seated in said insulator means, the improvements in means for uniformly distributing current to said terminals from a source, comprising:

(a) a power plate fabricated of conductive material overlying said terminal plate and connected to a source of current,

(b) said power plate having apertures formed therein 7 a including a'plurality of apertures through which cor-' responding terminals extend,

(c) said power plate apertures further including at least one aperture through which a terminal does not extend,

(d) dielectric means between said plates,

(e) and means connecting at least one of said posts ,to said power plate for conducting current to a cor' responding terminal,

('1') said" connecting means including a terminal clip clamped to said one terminal post and having projecting means extending into said one aperture to form an electrical connection with said power plate.

2. The improvement in current distribution means of claim 1 further characterized in that:

(a) said terminal clip lies substantially flat against said power plate to form an extremely low profile connection in contact with a relatively short portion of said one terminal post.

3. In combination:

(a) a ground plate having a plurality of apertures v formed therethrough,

(b) electrical terminals including terminal posts seated in insulating means in said apertures,

() power plate means overlying said ground plate,

(d) said power plate means having a plurality of apertures formed therein and said electrical terminals extending through certain of said power plate means apertures,

(e) insulating means disposed between said power plate means and said ground plate,

(f) and metal clip means connecting at least one terminal post to said power plate means,

(g) said metal clip means gripping said one post and the inside of an adjacent aperture in said power plate means to electrically connect said terminal post and said power plate means.

4. The combination of claim 3 further characterized in that each of said plate means is fabricated of an alumi- 8 num alloy, and said connecting means comprises clip means fabricated of a copper base metal. 5. In combination: 7 I

(a) a ground plate having a' plurality of apertures formed therethrough,

(b) electrical terminals including terminal posts seated in insulating means in said apertures,

(c) power plate means overlying said ground plate,

(d) said power plate means having a plurality of apertures formed therein and said electrical terminals extending through certain of said power plate means apertures,

(e) insulating means disposed between said power plate means and said ground plate,

(f) and metal clip means connecting at least one-terminal post to said power plate means,

(g) said metal clip means gripping said one post and extending in a flat profile against said power plate to' a point radially displaced from said post where it is connected to said power plate means at an adjacent aperture therethrough.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,006,436 7/1935 Bowers 339l8 2,512,691 6/1950 Smith et a1. 8.8 XR 2,709,390 5/1955 Smith 858.8 XR 2,747,169 5/1956 Johanson 339--258 3,027,004 3/1962 Gluck 20656 3,208,028 9/1965 Mittlcr et a1. 339l8 3,312,870 4/1967 Rhoades 17472 XR MARVIN A. CHAMPION, Primary Examiner P. A. CLIFFORD, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 858.8; 339-17, 256

mg 4 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTIGN Patent No. 3, 496 517 Dated February 17 1970 Inventor(s) Georqe Walter It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, line 61, change "plan" to -perspective-.

Column 4, lines 52 and 53, delete the phrase "approximately 0.05 inch thick".

SIGNED'KND RESALE Dal-11% (SEAL) Edward II- Flctdml', Irm I. J8-

Offioer Magicianof Patent! J 

